John Tolos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Tolos |
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Tolos in 1956
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| Birth name | John Tolos |
| Born | April 5, 1931 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | May 28, 2009 (aged 78) Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Cause of death | Kidney failure |
| Family | Chris Tolos (brother) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | John Tolos |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Trained by | Wee Willie Davis |
| Debut | 1951 |
| Retired | 1992 |
John Tolos, nicknamed "The Golden Greek", was a famous Canadian professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager. He was born on April 5, 1931, and passed away on May 28, 2009. Tolos was known for his exciting matches and for playing the "bad guy" or "heel" in the wrestling ring.
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Professional Wrestling Career
John Tolos was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. His parents were from Greece. In the 1950s and 1960s, he wrestled with his brother, Chris Tolos. They were known as "The Canadian Wrecking Crew."
Tag Team Success
On December 28, 1963, John and Chris Tolos won the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship. They defeated Gorilla Monsoon and Killer Kowalski in Teaneck, New Jersey. Even though the Tolos Brothers usually played the "bad guys" in wrestling, fans cheered for them that night!
Rivalries and Management
As "The Golden Greek," Tolos was a very convincing "heel." He had a long and exciting rivalry with another famous wrestler, "Classy" Freddie Blassie. They often competed for the Americas Championship.
Later in his career, Tolos joined the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF). From 1990 to 1991, he managed several wrestlers. These included "Cowboy Bob Orton," Cactus Jack, and The Power Twins. He also worked as a commentator on the UWF's Fury Hour show.
Time in WWF
In 1991, Tolos had a short time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He was known as "Coach" and even carried a whistle. He managed The Beverly Brothers and ""Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig. He took over from Curt Hennig's previous manager, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. When Curt Hennig got injured, Tolos left the WWF. He then returned to the UWF as a commentator until 1994.
Death
John Tolos passed away in Los Angeles, California, on May 28, 2009. He died from kidney failure after having several heart attacks and strokes.
Championships and Awards
John Tolos won many championships and awards throughout his long wrestling career. Here are some of his notable achievements:
- 50th State Big Time Wrestling
- NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii version) (1 time)
- NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Steve Strong
- Big Time Wrestling
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (1 time) – with Chris Tolos
- California Pro Wrestling
- CPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Golden Potato Award (2004)
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (1 time) – with Chris Tolos
- Heart of America Sports Attractions
- NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (1 time) – with Baron von Helsinger
- Maple Leaf Wrestling
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version) (3 times) – with Chris Tolos
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)
- NWA All-Star Wrestling
- NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (7 times) – with Tony Borne (2), Chris Tolos (2), Black Terror (1), Dutch Savage (1), and Don Leo Jonathan (1)
- NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Championship (Vancouver version) (1 time)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (3 times) – with Tony Borne (1) and Chris Tolos (2)
- NWA Hollywood Wrestling
- NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (10 times)
- NWA Americas Tag Team Championship (6 times) – with Great Kojika (2), Louie Tillet (1), Rock Riddle (1), Chavo Guerrero (1), and The Assassin (1)
- NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship (4 times)
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Los Angeles version) (3 times)
- NWA United National Championship (1 time)
- NWA Los Angeles
- NWA International Television Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Gene Kiniski
- NWA San Francisco
- NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (1 time) – with Chris Tolos
- NWA Western States Sports
- NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mr. Sato
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Class of 2007 – Inducted as a member of the Canadian Wrecking Crew (with Chris Tolos)
- Stampede Wrestling
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (Calgary version) (1 time) – with Chris Tolos
- Southwest Sports, Inc.
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Duke Keomuka
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- Western States Alliance
- WSA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- WSA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Victor Rivera
- World Wide Wrestling Association
- WWWA American Tag Team Championship/WWWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time, final) – with Chris Tolos
- World Wide Wrestling Federation
- WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chris Tolos
